Shock-absorber.



T. J. MULLEN & T. P. BRENNAN,

SHOCK ABSORBER.

APPLIGATLON FILED JULY 19,1911.

1,058,253. '?atented Apr. 8, 1913,

i be absorbed by murnn srarns ra rnnr curios.

cinemas a. MULLEN AND THOMAS F. BRENNAN, or new BRIGHTON, new YORK.

SHOCK-ABSORBER.

aosaess.

1%] all ell/10m c't' may concern Be it lniown that we, THoMAs .J. Mummy and Tiro sms'l BRENNAN, citizens of the United States, residingat New'Brighton, in" the county of Richmond and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful improvements in Shock-Absorbers;

' an improvedarrangement of shock absorber comprising an air bag, and means for transin tting motion from the body of the vehicle tothe airbag for resiliently taking up any shocks on the body of the vehicle.

"The object in view is the arrangement of one or more air bags for each axle of the vehicle between the axle and the body of the vehicle, the same being associated with niovaile members for permitting shocks to the air bag, and for taking to a large extent any rebound.

l in ther object of the invention. is the arrt ngement in a shock absorber, of a re iprocating member defining a carriage to which is connected a reciprocating rebound J cushion, and also to which-is connected the body of a vehicle for taking up any shocks, and for limiting the rebound andat the same time cushioning the eflect thereof.

Wi 'th these and other objects in view the invention comprises certain novel constructions combinations, and arrangement of parts as will be hereinafter more fully described and claimed.

in the accompanying drawings: Figure l is a rear view of an automobile, the same having disclosed thereon an embodiment of the-invention. Fig. 2 is a section through Fig. l or. line 2-2, the same being shown on a slightly enlarged scale. Fig. 3 is a section through Fig. l on line 3-3, the same being shown on a slightly enlarged scale. Fig. 4' is a section through Fig. l on line H, the same being 1 shown on a slightly enlarged scale. Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional View through part of the rebound device showing the arrangement of an air'valve embodying certain features of the invention.

In forming a shock absorber embodying Specification of Letters Fatent.

Application filed July 19, 1911.

Patented Apr. 8, 1913 Serial NO. 639,317.

' the invention a single air bag preferably is provided for each axle, to which is con nected a reciprocatingframe guided by the axle, and to which is connected a rebound absorbing device. This rebound absorbing device'is designed to use an air cushion for absorbing rebound, though if desired a spring may be utilized for assisting or entirely absorbing'the rebound. The body of the vehicle is connected with the 'recipro eating frame, either by spriilgs or otherwise as desired, so that all shocks will be first transmitted to the air bag and from thence to the body of the vehicle, the transmission tothe body of the vehicle being of course only slight compared to that conveyed to the air bag as the air bag absorbs a large per cent. of the shock.

In order that the invention may be more clearly understood an embodiment of the same is shown in the accompanying drawings in which- 1 indicates the body of a vehicle, and 2 one of the axles thereoii' The vehicle, of course, may have any desired number of axles, and preferably to each axle are connected an air bag and associated members defining a shock'absorber. Axle 2 is preferably widened at 3 in the usual manner, or if not widened an auxiliary plate is bolted to the axle. In the socket 4 of the widened portion 3 is arranged the bottom of air bag 5, which air bag is held rigidly in place by means of suitable lugs 6 bolted .or otherwise connected with the axle 2.

The upper part of the air bag5 is formed with a projection 7 which fits into a notched portion 8 in a cross bar 9. Cross bar 9 is Air bag 5 is prefto the axle 2, and extends longitudinally thereof. so as to prevent any undue swinging of the body 1. Also body '1 is prevented from swinging by the rebound abs cured thereto The use of the squared portion 16 andthe ways15 prevents any swinging of the guiding-boxes I0 and 11, and of bar 9, but permits a free up and down movement thereof, and also permits a slight tiltmg movement longitudinally of the axle.

' The boxes and 11 are formed integral with or rigidly secured to a cross bar 17,

' which cross bar is provided with extensions are supported by the extensions 18 and 1.9

projecting from cross bar 17. it will be of course evident that other means than the leaf-springs 22 may be used for connecting cross bar 17 with cross bar 23.

Pivotally connected with each of the plates is a piston rod 24: (Fig. 3) which passes through a suitable aperture in axle I 2. Connected with the upper end of each of the piston rods 24 is a piston 25. Piston 25 is arranged in a cylinder 26 which is rigidly-connected with axle 2 by being screwed into or, otherwise connected with a socket member 27 which socket member is held to axle 2 by suitable screws or bolts. The lower end of the cylinder 26 is open to the atmosphere, while the upper end is provided with an opening 28 normally closed by a .[valve member 29 held in place by spring 30.

pull down the pistons 25. This will cause Spring 30 acts against the upper end of cylinder 26, and against bolt- 31 which is rigidly secured to valve member Valve member 29 is provided with a vent 32 so that when the piston 25 is pulled down, and then attempts to move upward again the will escape-comparatively slowly therefrom so as to reduce the speed of movement of the piston. By this structure when a. shock is to be absorbed by bag 5 the piston rods 24- will valve member 29 to become unseated and allow the free entrance of a large column of air. Upon the return movement oi body l the pistons25 will compress the air in cylinders 26 and tightly close valve member 29. -However, the air may escape through vents 32 so that in a short time the pistons 25 will assume their original position, but sufficiently slow to negative any sudden rebound or returirmovementof the body 1'. Of course vents 32 may be made of any desired size, and also may be changed in size if desired for permitting the return of the pistons 25 at any desired speed. If desired a spring 33- could be used for assistingthe air in absorbing the rebound, or could be used independently of the air by removing valve member 29.

What we claim is: I

1. Iii a shock absorber of the class de scribed, the combination with a vehicle provided with a bodyand an axle, of an airintense resting'on said axle, a reciprocating cross-member engaging-said air bag and. pressing the same against said axle, a an of reciprocating guiding members as adm t, said axle, means for rigidly securing said reciprocating guiding members with said reciprocating member, a connecting bar extending longitudinall of said axle connect mg said reciprocating guiding members, means for connecting said connecting bar with the body of said vehicle, whereby the weight of said vehicle is transmitted to said air bag, and a rebound absorbing device arranged at each end of said connecting bar,

2. In a shock absorber of the class vided with a body and an axle, of an air bag contacting with said axle, a cross bar engaging said air bag, a pair of guides engaging said cross bar and said axle for guid-' ing the cross bar in its movement, a connecting cross bar for connecting said guiding members, means for connecting said connecting cross bar with said body, and a rebound absorber interposed between said axle and said connecting cross bar.

3. In a shock absorber of the class described, the combination with a vehicle pro vided withan axle and a body, of an air bag placed on said axle, a cross bar engaging said air bag and pressing same against said axlewhen moved,means for connecting .said cross bar with thebody of thevehicle for causing said air bag to absorb the shocks, and a rebound absorber arranged near each end of said cross bar, each of said rebound absorbers comprising a piston connected with saidcross bar and moved thereby, a cylinder for each of said pistons open to the at mosphere at one end, a valve arranged at the opposite end formed with a vent and adapted to open freely upon the movement of said piston in one direction and to close upon. the movement of the piston in the opposite direction, whereby the air may escape only through said vent.

t-In a shock absorber of the class de' scribed, the combination with a vehicle pro vided with an axle and body, of an air bag arranged to rest on said axle, a cross bar pressing against said air bag, means for connecting said body with said cross bar, including guiding members for holding the cross bar in proper position for contimially engaging said air bag, and a pail-ct re mentioned means and said axle, cachet said rebound absorbers comprising a pivotally mounted piston rodconnected wlth said with each of said piston, rods, a-cylinder connected with saidaxle, and means associaterl with-said cylinder for resiliently rewhen moved in one direction.

scribed, the combination with a vehicle pro bound absorbers connected with said last-- last mentioned means, a piston connected ltld ltlli sisting' a return movement of the piston.

5. In a shock absorber ofthe class described, the combination with a vehicle pro-' vided with a body and an axle, ofan air bag contacting with said axle, a cross bar engagin said air ba 23, reci rocatin uide frame secured to said cross bar and engaging-said axle for guiding the cross bar in its movement, means for connecting the guiding a piston moving therein secured to the recip rocatmg guide frame.

In testimony whereof We natures 1n presence of two witnesses.

THOMAS J. MULLEN. THOMAS F. BRENNAN.

Witnesses: J. H. SEARLE,

FRANI; J. MULLEN. 

